This is the fourth episode of our Mental Health Matters series with Sean Hagey. In this episode, Sean talks about the public perception of mental illness, within health care professions and outside of health care. If you haven't listened to the first three episodes, then check them out. In the first episode, Sean begins his story, sharing powerful experiences throughout his life. In the second episode, Sean talks about treatment, coping mechanisms, and progress despite challenging times. In the third episode, we talk about the interplay between mental health and his relationships with friends and family.

Sean approached the Voice of the Patient with the idea for this series and has asked that we help to eradicate mental health stigma. We believe that the stigma cannot be erased without gaining a level of comfort with our own personal discomfort. Sean wants to tell his story, and he wants us to ask all of the necessary questions to bring understanding of patients with mental illness or symptoms of mental illness.

Sean Hagey is a home health physical therapist assistant in Kansas City, MO, and is the creator of GetPT1st. He recently started a new advocacy program for mental health, Mental Health Matters, which you can follow on Twitter @HopeForMH. You can follow Sean on Twitter @SeanHagey. Sean has also written several powerful articles on The Mighty.